On one side, I have VS Code with Claude Code, which is my go-to setup. Claude is an excellent coworker, helping with commit hygiene, succinct titles, and explanations that are detailed and easy to read. This saves me from chore work that I often skip.
On the other side, I have Cursor, which is built on VS Code but prioritizes AI functionality over editing. I switch between models like GPT-5 Codex, Auto, or others to get a unique perspective. Some "stealth" options may even map to bigger-name models, such as Gemini 3.
People whisper that some of the “stealth” options map to bigger-name models
Author's summary: Using two AI assistants side-by-side improves code quality through creative tension.